Hot topics in August

Bejing – One city, two faces

ILLUSTRATION CRISTÓBAL SCHMAL

Avant-garde galleries, trending neighborhoods, magnificent new architecture: ­Beijing is one of the most thrilling cities in the world. For all that, the rich ­history of the 3000-year-old metropolis is in evidence everywhere, too. We show you both sides.

Epio

Curtain up on acting, singing, dancing and martial arts: 210-year-old Huguang Guild Hall is just one venue where you can enjoy Chinese myths in Peking opera form.

Air show

he kites zipping in the wind over Beijing are not children’s toys, but cultural heritage in action. The China Culture Center runs kite-building courses.

Easy does it

Tai chi is a martial art that’s far more difficult than it looks. People come along to Beijing’s Jingshan Park every day to practice within sight of the Forbidden City.

Precious finds

Thousands of vendors at vast Panjiayuan antique market sell antique furniture, calligraphies, statues of Buddha and all manner of other devotionals of Old China.

More than a game

Want to get in touch with the locals fast? A good way to do it is by playing a traditional game of mahjong! Several language schools run courses for foreigners.

More than a park

A stroll through Beihai Park conjures up dreams of days gone by. Dotted with temples, pagoda and spires, the park has been in existence for about 840 years.